Open Chronicles The Sacking of Salitra

[Achates]

The bolt shattering didn’t surprise Achates; she fully expected the Necromancer to be able to block either with magic or her stave. With the magic residue in the air and being closer to the woman, Achates was able to pick up on the woman’s scent. Once the predator caught the trail, Harrier would struggle to hide for the rest of her life – if she lived passed this day.

A growl came from the girl’s throat as she realized that her prey had attempted to escape. As Harrier sprang away, Achates followed. When she jumped to chase, the crossbow was released. Her arm holding the blade moved quickly, using its length to strike at the escaping Harrier. After she finished her attack Achates felt her body begin to descend, as her weight shifted, Achates flung a small dagger towards the other woman. If her first attack didn’t find its mark, the second hopefully should.

Controlling her body mid-air was not tricky; her father had thrown her off several cliffs to teach her to learn to land on her feet. Unlike the Necromancer, the wolfkin had no way of remaining airborne, her attacks needed to be quick as she would be finding herself on the ground soon.

Harrier Uvogin

 

[Ashuanar]

Slamming behind them, the barricades blown asunder.

Shouting...
​

Down long corridors they ran, and emerged out to an opening behind the palace. There they ran to a stable, and soldier's who had not totally expected this hurriedly conducted themselves after the shock had set in. At this point they realized they were likely to die... fear gripped them, but the gathered the courage to face whatever it was coming down that corridor after Soleiman - who was moving his absolute fastest to arrive at his horse.

Soleiman made it there, and he hazarded a glance back. Terror was all he beheld, as Mehmed and his men poured out of the corridor, cutting down Soleiman's men, his last line of defense.

He gave a desperate kick into his steeds sides, and took off as quickly as it could manage - but there was no where to run to. No where to hide - except down toward the bay.

That necromancer had better not forsake me!
​

Uvogin Achates Harrier

 

[Harrier]

Ashuanar Achates Uvogin

Harrier curled up in midair and Achates' sword just missed her foot. The thrown dagger bit through her cloak and thunked into her ribs at an oblique angle. A sharp gasp got out, and another when her boots splashed down in the shallows.

The possessed staff flared bright. Sroga Sule's greasy fire burst out to make a high wall between them. Harrier staggered, caught her balance by leaning on the staff, and whistled.

Both the Immortals and Soleiman's core force of bodyguards were on the way, charging on horseback. Hundreds of the dead, of every kind, began walking out of the surf all up and down the beach. They converged on everyone indiscriminately.

Except Harrier, of course. That would have been silly.

 

[Ashuanar]

Soleiman's horse recoiled as an undead lashed out at it. He was thrown to the ground. Soggy as it was, he managed a harmless landing - though not entirely painless. He rolled onto his side and scrambled to his feet, drawing his sabre to fight off one of the necromancer's abominations.

He almost laughed. He almost broke out in hysteria there, to have it all fall down on him like this.

Around him the dead encroached on him and all that remained of his forces, and bearing down on them were the beating hooves of rebels, and worse yet some of Gerra's most feared -

the Immortals.​

 

[Medja]

Mercenaries rolled in one after the next to sign on with Gerra's glorious Empire. Medja, aided by Acteon, dealt with each group in turn until at last the crowd had dispersed. She paid no mind to her sellsword companion's retort, instead opting to maintain her air of complacency, especially now that Gerra had given her praise. She knew that there would be more in store for her later.

For now, the courtier had completed her role in this siege. The rebellion was underway in full force, the chain of command within the city was in utter disarray, and the defending army was largely bought out. All that remained was to deal with the supposed undead army, wherever it was, and that was hardly her job.

Medja returned to camp alongside her lord, smiling and self-satisfied. The fruits of her labor were oh, so sweet.

She could hardly wait to watch the Immortals crush the life out of any who resisted.

 

[Halul]

Mehmed and a handful of rebels took what horses remained and chased Emir Soleiman to the coast, soon finding themselves faced off against the undead. Soleiman, in having arrived to the coast first, was subsequently first to fall prey to the undead that marched from the sea. He was knocked from his horse and briefly struggled before the sheer number of undead fell upon him. There was no need for Mehmed or the rebels to intervene; the Immortals' Lieutenant would find his body afterward to take the Emir's head to Gerra after the battle concluded.

Mehmed and the rebels joined with Uvogin and the Immortals that came to Achates' aid. They numbered just under twenty, not counting the rebels that came with Mehmed.

"Ignore the remainder of Soleiman's men-" Uvogin swung his sword down on an undead that wandered too close, "-they will flee. Mehmed, find vizier Ashuanar- get help."

Uvogin watched as more undead rose from the water.

"We will hold them here. Immortals! Support the vizier!"

As Mehmed rode back towards the camp, the soldiers that came with Uvogin remained on horseback, showering the approaching horde with arrows while maintaining a safe distance.

Uvogin himself moved to assist Achates in battling the necromancer. In his hands, he held a bow that hummed with a strong magical power.

Mehmed soon arrived at the camp and quickly found Ashuanar.

"Vizier!" the masked man called out as he brought the horse to a stop, "the Captain has found the undead and is currently in battle. He asks for assistance."


Achates Harrier Ashuanar

 

[Ashuanar]

Ashuanar's attention had been pulled in many different directions this day. As he stood overlooking some of the army lazily mustering, he found himself somewhat... disappointed. There would be no glory for him or his here, it seemed.

For a time.

Ashuanar's thoughts were interrupted by an Immortal approaching, who then came to a rearing halt before him.

"Vizier!" the masked man called out as he brought the horse to a stop, "the Captain has found the undead and is currently in battle. He asks for assistance."

"Then he shall have it," he turned on his heel and hurriedly made way to his auxiliary tent. Within were a number of his Sipahi, tribesmen of Mari'kuul. He entered in and spared not a moment, "rally the men at once. The Captain requires our aid."

"Yes, general."

And with that they dispersed throughout the camp to gather the Vizier's personal detachment. In but a short time, they were mounted and armed and a number of about one hundred rode forth from the camp - another 100 were yet to be mustered and sent forth.

The remainder of the army carried out as Ashuanar had instructed, and they remained on station in preparation to take the city - should the Emperor give the order.

So the hundred led by Ashuanar himself charged toward the coast to reinforce the Captain and his men.

Achates Harrier Uvogin

 

[Shaharyzad Bal-Madora]

An Immortal walked through the camp. There was fighting off in the distance but the masked warrior didn't pay it any heed. Her mission and duty were single minded and straightforward. She made her way to the tent where her lord now resided.
She arrived at the tent in short order and entered unobtrusively, respecting those inside by not interrupting their meeting. She moved off to the side and knelt down in a position where she could watch the entrance and everyone inside.

She hadn't been in the service of Gerra for long, but she quickly learned the ins and outs of the majority of his court. She was below every person in the tent, even those she didn't recognize, but she answered to Gerra and to Gerra alone. She saw him as he spoke with his generals, a giant in a room of ants, a god amid mortals.
It wasn't her place and never will be, but only her mask could disguise the admiration she had for him.

While she listened in her hand wandered to the hilt of her Khopesh. A gift from Gerra himself, one that she treasured close to her heart. He had given gifts to others but this one was special to her, it marked his trust in her that she would never betray.

 

[Achates]

Achates ignored the sound of the horses and the shore flooding with the dead; her mind focused on Harrier. She heard the gasps as the dagger burrowed into the woman’s ribs and the thud when she landed. Her feet landed onto the ground with a thud, her eyes remaining locked on her target.

That smell, the intoxicating aroma of fresh blood hung in the air. Achates found herself slowly becoming drunk with it, the primal beast inside of her find its way out. Luckily, the burst of flames from the staff took her by surprise and put her back on her heels.

Thoughts of putting another dagger through the flames ran through the girl’s mind, but there was a possibility she could miss. If she lost, it would give the necromancer a chance of spotting where she was. Having the element of surprise ruined would make winning troublesome.

Examining the firewall, Achates continued to try and keep her mind focused; logical thinking was what she needed at this moment. Yet, the smell of the blood lingered in the air, and it was all the girl could smell. She wanted it so bad; to make the dead raiser bleed.

There was no fighting it anymore. Achates bit down so hard she could taste her blood seeping from her gums. She tightly wrapped her arms around her slender frame in agonizing pain. This monster was her trump card, one that she had no control; it was her true self. Falling to her knees, she felt her muscles, rip and reform; more massive and denser. Bones were cracking, breaking then becoming stronger.

Once it started, there as no going back.

Achates cried out, a sharp scream changed and deepened into a loud, snarling growl. Black fur covered her porcelain skin, and clothing hung ripped against the dire wolf’s massive frame. She was standing on four legs as her thick massive paws sunk into the soft earth.

Blood red eyes peered through the flames and suddenly took off, the scent of Harrier’s wound giving up her location as if it was screaming her name. The shaggy wolf bound through the fire, the smell of singed fur filled the air. Achates lunged forward, threatening to bite into the necromancer’s shoulder and body.

Harrier Uvogin Ashuanar

 

[Harrier]

The sheet of flame blotted out detail, but only for the stretch of rocky beach in front of her. Leaning on her smoking staff, Harrier got a decent view of the undead horde clashing with horsemen up and down the shoreline. She chuckled ruefully under her breath as she noted Soleiman, the horde's theoretical owner, getting put to death by the dead.

A huge form lunged through the fire. Harrier's breath caught in her throat. All sense of security or good humour vanished as she staggered back, suddenly keenly aware that she was bleeding. She got her staff up in both hands and jammed it crossways into the gigantic wolf's jaws. The wolf's momentum bowled her off her feet and into the shallows, then knee-deep water.

The ocean surged behind her, the dead whale coming to her assistance - but it would take a little while, time she didn't have.

"Is that you, @Achates?" she snarled at the wolf as it drove her to her knees in the water. "Is that you in there, wolfbitch?"

 

[Ashuanar]

Ashuanar and many of his men crashed into the horde and trudged through them with malice, stabbing with spears and slicing with swords. Several others rode along the perimeter of the fighting, firing arrows into the farthest reaches of the oncoming enemy.

Several Kaliti magicians present proved useful - and while their powers did not compare to those of Telenar or the Shadow Hands, they were still an adequate addition to the army's ranks. They road with the ranged calvarymen, enchanting their arrows to cause harm to the risen dead.

Ashuanar took up his spear, and hurled it through the air toward the necromancer - a daring attempt given the distance between.

Harrier Achates Uvogin

 

[Gerra]

In the great war tent, Gerra sat upon a simple wooden chair built for his stature. The tent flaps were swept aside, admitting the captains of the mercenary companies who had betrayed their master for the promise of coin. The one called Acteon Cass lead them, looking like a cat who had eaten the canary and then brought in all his cat friends to poke at the remaining feathers.

Gerra steepled his fingers.

At his side was a rustling as a masked Immortal came to stand guard. The Emperor glanced at her from the corner of his eye, trying to recall her name. Though the palace guard all wore masks, they were each unique in their own way, and he had come to recognize them all, for they were not so very numerous yet.

Ah, she had the Khopesh of Khnun, then it was Bal-Madora. His lips curved into a soft smile and he nodded to her, acknowledging her presence, then returned his attention to the gathered mercenaries.

"Welcome, captains. You have betrayed your master and given up the city into my hand. Tell me, what has become of the tyrant's family?"

 

[Acteon Cass]

With his mind on escape and survival right now more than anything else, Acteon walked into the tent where Gerra was waiting. He was the first to enter and couldn't say what kind of face he was making. It could be anything from smug superiority to humble servitude. The only thing that was obvious was he wasn't showing any of his true feelings at all.

While Acteon had been the first to enter, he had made sure he had slipped his way behind everyone else and was close to the way out of the tent. Let them be his shields should the masked one near the "Emperor" decide to execute some less mercenaries who had been less than loyal to their previous employer. He really didn't like how calm Shaharyzad Bal-Madora was with so many in the room now.

The first captain to speak was clearly from around the Elbion area. A female mixed blood human in rather heavy armor hiding her body as much as protecting it. "Don't know. Probably dead by now from the rebels or your troops."

Acteon wanted to put his face in his palm. That was the wrong answer. Too blunt, too honest, and too lacking in tact. It made them seem uninformed and apathetic. Why would they say that after having flipped so quickly to the other side? He had even said you betrayed your master! Not former master but your master! Sellswords and mercenaries were too often too blind to the political circumstances. This is how executions were ordered.

Another captain stepped forward and this one was a dark skinned man from further south but clearly from Amol-Kalit. "I would also wager dead. None of the paid swords ever guarded the palace or Emir's family. We were all stations along the wall or to patrol the streets."

 

[Gerra]

“My soldiers have yet to enter the city. And they have orders not to harm the tyrant’s household. So I will ask again, what has become of them? Where are they?”

 

[Acteon Cass]

The captains seemed confused at Gerra words. They had already told him everything they knew, which was little to nothing. Some discussions began as captains here and there started to try to see if anyone had more than what was already shared. It was about as fruitful as a leafless tree in the desert. The longer it went on as well the more concerned and irritated Acteon got.

The Allirians and Elbion mercenaries had already wormed their way towards the back of the room, aside from the brave woman from earlier, like Acteon had done. They could see now was not the time to be front and center of the giant. More and more they clucked on like hens trying to find some new piece of information but none of them had anything enlightening to say.

Eventually Acteon got tired of it all and spoke up. "They likely escaped from secret passages in the castle. From there who knows where they went. It is all chaos so good time to get out unseen."

All of the captains looked back to Acteon with a bit of surprise. Some seemed to question where he was even getting his information from. All the reachman did was stare back at them blankly while adding on, "Are you all dense? Our Lord is telling you to go find the Emir's family. Stop clucking and gawking like a bunch of birds and go find the kids."

The Captains just continued to look at him dumbfounded. The captain of the Allirian company Jeoric was from seemed to be the quickest to recover. He turned to Gerra and said, "My Lord, I will mobilize my forces and begin the search at once." He bowed then added after, "Do you wish for them alive or dead?"

Acteon sighed. At least one of them got what was going on. They were going to have to work for their coin now that they switched sides and prove they wouldn't turn like they had on the Emir. Sadly most of the other captains were still sorting out the turn of events. How far down the barrel had the Emir reached to fluff up his forces? These people were making Acteon look bad just being in the same business as them right now.

Shaharyzad Bal-Madora

 

[Shaharyzad Bal-Madora]

Disgraceful, the lot of brutes before her were uneducated cutthroats who prize money as more valuable than their own lives. She wasn't surprised to learn the traitors from Salitra were mercenaries, once they realized they were in a battle they couldn't win they realized their gold was worthless if they didn't live long enough to spend it.
Faithless, disloyal, rabid dogs. Didn't they know that they stood before a god in the flesh? And they were arguing amongst themselves as if they had full reign over the camp, as if they weren't in the presence of the ultimate power of the world!
"Heathens", she could add that to her list of their description as well.

She was younger than every single one of them, but even she had the sense to know when she was in the presence of power and authority.
Their disrespect made her blood boil and her hand tightened on the hilt of Khnun. She glanced with her eyes up at her lord, but he seemed to be handling it with his usual calm and level headedness. If he wasn't going to reprimand them then it fell to her, even if he didn't feel slighted by their behavior it was a fact that they had no regard for who he was, and that was something she couldn't allow.

She had no voice in these matters, so she didn't speak. This was not a time to fight so she did not draw her Khopesh.
During her training as an immortal she was trained in the art of subtlety and menace. She didn't have to do much, she simply slowly stood up, the emotionless mask hiding the growing anger spreading over her face as she grit her teeth.
The simple act of standing up held meaning, it told all present that she was no longer passive, that she was poised and prepared.

The man in the back who had purposely positioned himself close to the entrance of the tent finally spoke up. He seemed to understand better than the rest the kind of position they were in, that they had a new master and they were to obey him now. His words prevented her from taking further action, pausing to see what the dogs would do in response.

 

[Medja]

Medja couldn't help but smirk at the mercenaries as they fell over themselves, clamoring at Gerra's feet. Such incompetence would never be tolerated by anyone under her employ. This was yet another situation where information reigned supreme, and where muscle or a sharp tongue could simply never compare. Medja made her presence known before her lord once again, floating forth and giving him a brief bow.

"They likely escaped from secret passages in the castle. From there who knows where they went. It is all chaos so good time to get out unseen."

"And chaos, like so many other things, is best when controlled." She began, a smug smile upon her visage. "My God-Emperor, your Hands have already been in motion. These passages were revealed to me by my spies some time ago, and their exits have been manned by my enforcers. The royal family of Salitra should already be on their way here."

Her mind turned to a particular enforcer, one who she had hand selected just recently. One who had shown great promise as a student of her art. She did so hope that it was him who brought the royal family to Gerra's camp, if only to prove herself right.

Audun Sinai

 

[Gerra]

Eyes like molten glass fell upon the sorceress from Ragash.

"Well done once again, Lady Medja. See that they are unharmed."

She was a worthy understudy to Ava Gilleth. Perhaps even a successor, given the abilities of her Hands, though they reminded him much of Telenar's Shadows. What would the Empire become if there were already three factions of assassins and spies working underneath separate masters? An issue for another time.

He turned his attention to the mercenary captains and let out a nasal sigh. He had been hoping to give them a chance at redemption by finding the family unharmed, but Medja had taken that away from them. A lesson needed to be made.

"Shaharyzad."

The emperor pointed at the mercenary captains.

"Kill the captains. Spare their men. Leave Acteon."

Behind the tent flap came the sound of rasping of steel as Abtati warriors posted outside drew their scimitars and advanced on the surrounded traitors.

 

[Audun]

Torches hung on the stone walls of the tunnels, faint orange light illuminating the otherwise dark passageway. It was quiet, the crackling of torchlight being the only companion to the otherwise silent tunnel.

Audun stood at the end of the tunnel, leaning against a wall as he waited. His Lady had given him a simple task: Wait at the exits of the tunnels that stretched beneath Salitra and apprehend anyone who comes through. If they were soldiers or Soleiman, kill them quickly. If they were deserters, see about getting information out of them before they meet their death.

Lastly: if the royal family comes through to escape the chaos above them, bring them to the God-Emperor alive. The enforcer didn't know what would come of them after that. Perhaps they would be brought over the side of the Empire, informed of their King's tyranny, or perhaps they would be made an example of. The last part made him wince. Most of them were young, he believed. The oldest had just become a man and the youngest had only started to run. Hopefully, they'd be willing companions.

His head shot up.

The earth beneath him shook, the faintest of vibrations. In the short few weeks of his service, Lady Medja had taught him much about the heights his magic could reach. The ability to sense the vibrations of the earth in all of its forms, whatever the source may be, was one of those skills he had been taught.

And now, he felt them. He concentrated on the sensation, blocking out the mist of thoughts so that the shaking earth was all that occupied his mind. Seven footsteps, some light and some heavy. They were still some ways away, but he could feel them come closer.

The Royal Family.

 

[Acteon Cass]

The situation was turning south quickly for the mercenaries as the floating smug had claimed an awareness of the hidden exits and already blocked them with agents. Could be true or could be an assumption. It was hard to say for certain. His name had been listed however to be exempt from execution, which was great news. It also was bad news though as it meant those gathered were about to go into survival mode. Seemed like now was a good time to attempt to earn some favors for later.

Stepped forward Acteon stopped many of the captains within his reach from drawing their weapons. As he did this he said in a loud voice, "One moment my Lord. There is no need for senseless killing. You are not the Emir after all and surely are a man of compassion. You did fire bread within the city after all."

Acteon got himself in front of Gerra and took on a humble smile to his face. He gave a slight bow as well then went on. "Your subject claims she already has his family, but until they are here we do not know if it has happened yet or not. Complications always arise after all. So why not stay the executions until after it is confirmed what happened with the Emir's family?"

The mercenary captains were on edge. They did not know this man speaking for them, but all clearly were more than happy to let him go on if it could save their lives, so they kept their hands on their hilts but had yet to draw their arms.

"Even if your agents have secured the Emir's family there is other ways they could earn their pay and prove their loyalty to you. Surely this is not the last battle you will fight. The city still needs to be secured and lots of labor needing to be done. Why remove the leaders of newly acquired assets before they have truly proven their worth? A merciful employer is the kind of employer a mercenary will fight to the death for after all, and it is very clear the Emir was not very merciful. Why prove yourself to be the same?" Acteon finished with that and hoped it would have some kind of effect. If it worked out then all those captains now owed him their lives. If it did not then he would hopefully just seem to be a man of compassion and hold a sense of duty and loyalty to his own to Gerra. It also could get him killed, but that was true for any situation in life.

Medja Shaharyzad Bal-Madora

 

[Gerra]

Gerra's eyes smoldered with anger at the display of defiance, his quick fuse burning hot.

"No," he rumbled, the pronouncement like the first quake that marks a volcanic eruption.

"I have passed my judgment. Medja, remove him from the tent."

The Abtati advanced. Blades rose and fell. The slaughter began.

 

[Acteon Cass]

And it seemed the captains were doomed. Oh well. Acteon did what he could but there was no saving them. Instead of talking back again he just bowed to Gerra and saw himself out of the tent before Medja could do anything. The mercenary companies were going to be in chaos now and their effectiveness hindered. A real waste. But if that was what this ruler wanted to be and do then there was no reason for Acteon to stop him. Not like he was one of his subjects.

Acteon left the tent quickly and took the chance to sort of wander off. He had his weapons back and might be able to grab his new horse. It would make leaving now fairly easy. But he also would lose out on his chance for gold or gems or whatever other rewards were waiting him if he stayed. Decisions, decisions.

The Allirian sellsword just walked around the camp observing what was happening. Seemed things were finally getting into motion about it. Better on this side than the other as well. The bread had been sent into the city, rebels were fighting off loyalists, and the necromancer surely had to have summoned the undead by now. It must be a mess in the streets. Chaos was the perfect chance for some profiteering....

Acteon stopped dead in his tracks. The treasury! Now was the perfect time to rob the place and he was just meandering around this camp. Was there a way he could sneak back into the city to attempt to get into it? Not likely. He had a feeling they were just going to watch him like hawks for any sign of betrayal. Silly. Why would he betray the victor after they had already won? No, he needed an excuse to be allowed to leave. What could work though? Would they even listen? The "Emperor" was just going to put all of his trust in whatever his servants said and that floaty one clearly would just go against whatever he said out of spite. Decisions, decisions....

Acteon began to move again and slowly began to meander his way towards his horse. There might be a chance still but he needed more information on the state of the front to know for sure.

Shaharyzad Bal-Madora

 

[Nak'Ehim Akanamar]

"You there," his voice was like a sharp knife, words stinging the ear with laced treachery, "and just why would you be so eager to depart from us, my friend?"

Nak'Ehim. The second in command of the Imperial Army, next to Vizier Ashuanar. He was accompanied by a handful of Ashuanar's men, but unlike them he was not robed in white. He wore robes more akin to that of a magician, with darkened cloth and bones hung from him - even a crown of such atop his head. He approached Acteon, and held his hands up in a peaceful gesture.

There was a beguiling smile across his lips.

"There are still some things to discuss that may be of some..." he looked inconspicuously to ensure his words would not fall on unwanted ears - the men with him were trusted, "... interest to one such as yourself."

 

[Shaharyzad Bal-Madora]

Shaharyzad stepped forward after Acteon fled the tent, with that step she drew her Khopesh and in a single smooth motion slashed it across the throat of the initial spokeswoman. Blood fountained over the immortal as the nearly severed head flopped backwards.

As the captains turned to face the guards Shaharyzad took advantage of their exposed backs. She slid her Khopesh through their backs, what armor they had was like paper to her blade, and when they turned to face her they either fell to the blades of the guards or her Khopesh slashing their throats open.

Soon all the commanders lay dead, blood pooled on the floor. Her job done she knelt before Gerra with her Khopesh in her hand.
"Shall I pursue the last one, my lord? He left without escort and may attempt to betray you."

 

[Acteon Cass]

Before the voice ever called out to Acteon he picked up the sound of their steps and scents. He hadn't thought too much of it given they smelt the same as a lot of the soldiers in the camp. The tone of the voice however got the hairs on the back of his neck to rise. So they expected betrayal immediately out of him it seemed. Smart choice to just be meandering rather than sprinting around the place.

Acteon turned to face the man and smiled to him in a friendly yet slightly betrayed fashion. "Depart? No. I am just walking around to stretch my legs and thought I should check up on my horse. It is not as if I am so difficult to find. You have yet to stop watching me since I arrived and this has been my first semblance of personal time I have had. I just hoped to enjoy it a bit."

He shifted to a sad look on his face. "It would seem that it has come to an end so soon. A shame. Would you be so kind as to make sure my horse has been properly cared for? You never know what kind of neglect strangers might show."

Right now it was best to keep up an act. Acteon was not sure what this elf wanted from him, but it was clear something was up. They would not have engaged him like this if there was not some scheme in place. Could be they planned to kill him or could be they planned to drag him into something he didn't want to be apart of. Either way he was going to avoid letting on he understood the invitation being directed his way to move to a less public location.

Gerra Shaharyzad Bal-Madora Nak'Ehim Akanamar